World jittery about Trump's 'America first' inaugural speech
The billionaire businessman and reality television star — the first president who had never held political office or high military rank — promised to stir a "new national pride" and protect America from the "ravages" of countries he says have stolen U.S. jobs.
Like many in the Afghan capital of Kabul, restaurant owner Mohammad Nahim watched the presidential inauguration ceremonies but was disappointed to not hear any mention of Afghanistan.
"Trump did not mention a word about Afghanistan in his speech and the salaries of the Afghan army and police are paid by the U.S.," he said.
Trump has made disparaging remarks about immigrants who come to the United States illegally and sought to pressure companies not to set up shop in Mexico by threatening a border tariff on goods manufactured there and exported to the United States.
[...] Trump's talk of protect(ing) our borders, ''America first and buy American and hire American had particular resonance in America's southern neighbor.
Ricardo Anaya Cortes, president of the conservative opposition National Action Party, called for the unity of all Mexicans, unity in the face of this protectionist, demagogic and protectionist speech we just heard.
A group of retired government officials gathered after morning prayers for a walk in a sprawling park in the heart of the federal capital of Islamabad and the topic of their conversation was President Trump's inaugural speech.
"Likely there is more trouble in store for the Islamic world and our country will take the most brunt of the harsh treatment from President Trump administration," said Mohammad Afzal.
Some Tokyo residents are worried that Trump's "America first" policy will usher in an era of populism and protectionism at the expense of the rest of the world.
Tadashi Gomibuchi, who works in the manufacturing industry, recorded Trump's inauguration speech overnight as he was keen to hear what the new president had to say.
Retiree Kuninobu Inoue, who lived in the U.S. during the 1990s, is concerned about trade frictions between Japan and the U.S, citing Trump's decision to withdraw from the 12-nation Trans Pacific Partnership.
Protectionist policies such as the withdrawal from TPP and renegotiation of NAFTA will have a negative impact on the global economy including Japan's, said Akio Mimura, head of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
A Chinese state-run nationalist tabloid, the Global Times, says President Trump's inauguration speech indicates that the U.S. and China would inevitably face trade tensions.
The paper says it expects that the Trump administration, in seeking to bring factories back to the U.S. from China, will use the U.S. government's relations with Taiwan as "merely a bargaining chip for them to put trade pressure on China."
In Beijing, Independent scholar and commentator Zhang Lifan drew a contrast between Trump's focus on domestic issues and Chinese President Xi Jinping's emphasis on international cooperation.
Some in South Korea worried that President Trump would ask Seoul to shoulder a bigger share of the cost of U.S. forces stationed in South Korea as a deterrent against aggression from North Korea, or that their country will be caught in a conflict between the U.S. and China.
In an editorial, the English-language JoongAng Daily said South Korea's relations with the U.S. under Trump will face a challenge as the new leader will likely ask Seoul to pay more for the cost of the U.S. military forces in the country, and renegotiate a bilateral free trade agreement.
In place of impeached President Park Geun-hye, Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn said in his congratulatory message to Trump that South Korea wishes to bolster the already close ties with the U.S. and cooperate on stopping North Korea's nuclear development.
Among dozens of young, urban Indians who watched Trump's inauguration and speech at a club in a New Delhi, the 27-year-old Jigar Gorasia said getting work visas for professionals and green cards will become a problem.